Draft Bait: Kittles Maybe; Houston, Too
By STEVE POPPER
(http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/11/sports/basketball/11draft.html)
Published: June 11, 2004


siah Thomas picked up the phone yesterday and called five Knicks. He needed all his charm and charisma to convince them that they were still important players despite what he was about to tell them.

Thomas told the players - whom a Knicks official said included Allan Houston, Shandon Anderson and Penny Hardaway - they were being left unprotected in the expansion draft later this month.

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The Nets are expected to leave Kerry Kittles unprotected; Kittles was a starter and key player in the their recent postseason success.

The league's 29 teams had to submit a list of eight protected players to the league. The expansion Charlotte Bobcats will select a minimum of 14 players, not more than one from any team.

"We're looking for draft picks, talent and cash," Bernie Bickerstaff, the Bobcats' coach and general manager, said. "Those are things we think are a distinct possibility. We're not into taking cash in lieu of talent. If we feel there is a player who could make a difference and who could be with us a long time, then we've got to seriously consider that. But we also think there are going to be players available who are going to be good for contending teams."

Ed Tapscott, the Bobcats' chief operating officer, said, "I think Bernie and I have reputations for being eminently reasonable."

For the Knicks, the choice is typical of what most teams are going through: trying to identify the players and contracts most unattractive to the Bobcats and other teams who might try to deal for the exposed veterans.

Among the players expected to be available will be Grant Hill of Orlando, Austin Croshere of Indiana, Jerry Stackhouse of Washington, and Dallas forward Antoine Walker.

Houston, whose left knee hobbled him throughout the season and might require surgery, has a contract that will pay him $47 million over the next three years, including $17.5 million next season.

Hardaway and Anderson carry contracts that exceed their value. Moochie Norris, with three years and $12.7 million remaining, will also be left exposed, and the Knicks must also decide what to do with Cezary Trybanski, Dikembe Mutombo and Othella Harrington for the final spot - all three possessing trade value.

While a player like Houston is obviously more important to the Knicks than Frank Williams, for example, the Knicks are aware that a young player with potential and a low salary is just what Charlotte is seeking.

The Nets are also believed to be leaving Alonzo Mourning, Rodney Rogers and Tamar Slay exposed to the expansion draft. Kittles is a solid contributor with a contract that expires at the end of next season.

"You look around the league and there will be some talent out there," Tapscott said. "'If you've got the right type of veteran, a difference maker or someone who adds to what we want to do, you look that way. I look at this process as mainly about us and building a long-term platform for success."

The Bobcats hold the No. 4 pick in the draft, but they have openly looked to move up with that pick and a veteran plucked from the expansion draft as bait. The team will have just 66 percent of the salary cap that is allotted to the other 29 teams.

I don't understand why the bobcats would want to start their franchise with an aging, injury riddled SG who can only shoot

would you take a guy like croshere ?